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HR 1280 105th Congress House

Sunshine in the Courtroom Act

Official title: To allow the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, and televising to the public of Federal court proceedings.

Introduced: November 13, 1997 See on congress.gov
Law Appellate courtsArts, Culture, ReligionCivil procedureCourt reporting
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Crime and Law EnforcementCrime and the pressCriminal procedureDistrict courtsGovernment Operations and PoliticsJudgesPhotographyRadio broadcastingScience, Technology, CommunicationsSound recording and reproducingSupreme CourtTelevision broadcastingVideo tapes in courtroom proceedings
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 13, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2369-2370)
Apr 15, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.
Apr 10, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 10, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action November 13, 1997

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2369-2370)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Sunshine in the Courtroom Act - Allows any presiding U.S. judge, in his or her discretion, to allow the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which such judge presides, including civil and criminal trials and appeals.

Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to promulgate advisory guidelines concerning such media coverage within the courtroom.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1
QUINN, JACK
· Nov 13, 1997
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Apr 10, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1280: Sunshine in the Courtroom Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1280/
MLA
"H.R. 1280: Sunshine in the Courtroom Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1280/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1280, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1280/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1280: Sunshine in the Courtroom Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1280/)
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